But no—even economists, it seems, take pride in their profession. The “dismal science” wasn’t self-identification at all; it was an insult. And after reading about the origin of the phrase, I’m pretty sure I’ll never use it again.

Now, when we’re talking troubadours, those poets of courtly love—as distinctly opposed to Courtney Love—we’re talking old. Like nearly one thousand years ago old. So old that the revival happened nearly 800 years ago—when a bunch of dudes in Toulouse formed a society to promote that kind of verse. For reasons not immediately apparent to me, these Frenchmen gave their organization an Italian name: the Consistori del Gay Saber awarded its first poetry prize in 1324. The name lives on today in Gai Saber, a band described as “an Italian folk group”—although the lively song you hear when you land on their website sounds more like Latin dance music to me.

If an aversion to slavery makes one “dismal,” then by all means count me in. I believe firmly in freedom, and in getting paid for one’s work. But I will also gladly ally myself with the “gay science.” Good to know it exists.